Industrial clusters and the evolution of their knowledge networks: revisiting a Chilean case
Loading...
Author(s)
Giuliani, Elisa
Bell, Martin
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Collections
Supplementary to:
Permanent Link
Abstract
Scholars of industrial clusters and networks have recently called for more research on network's chance over time. This
paper contributes a further step along that path. It uses micro-level data based on the execution of a pair of identical
studies in the main wine cluster in Chile in 2002 and 2006. Through the collection of social network data, it explores the
role of a set of mechanisms of social interaction to explain the change in the cluster knowledge network. Two particular
findings are important. First, in line with other network studies, we find that well-known micro-level mechanisms of
social interaction, such as homophily, reciprocity and transitivity, do influence the formation of new knowledge
linkages among cluster firms. Second, however, we find that these mechanisms seem not to work when firms have weak
knowledge bases, as firms with a level of knowledge bases below a minimum threshold persist being completely cast
out of the cluster knowledge network, in some cases even exiting the cluster. A more general finding of this study is the
coexistence of a significant instability at the micro-level with meso-level stability in the structural properties of the
intra-cluster knowledge network, in line with the idea of retention put forward by evolutionary economists to explain
the path dependent nature of economic systems. Possible reasons for this and implications for further research are
discussed.
Sponsor
Date
2008-09
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings